And, as an English speaking nation, there’s also strong appeal for students who want to build their English language proficiency to the next level ahead of global careers.

“We’re also blessed to have strong whole-of-government support for international education in Australia,” Ms Robinson said.

“That includes leadership and backing from the highest levels in Government – with six key Ministers directly engaged – to promote Australia as a destination of choice for international students.”

“Australia is a beacon for international students because it offers a truly world-class education, global alumni networks, excellent research capabilities, a great student experience and the chance to study in one of the most diverse and multicultural nations on earth.”

And our internationalism is paying off in other ways too.

The Times Higher Education rankings listed five Australian universities in the top 25 most international universities in the world.

These rankings look at the number of international staff and students as well as the strength of their international reputations and their international research collaborations.

In the ranking that measures the top universities under fifty years old, Australia has sixteen in the top one hundred – more than any other nation.

With over 320,000 international students from 130 countries studying at Australian universities, there are immense economic returns and benefits to the wider society.

International education is Australia’s third biggest export – behind only iron ore and coal – and Australia’s biggest services export. It is Victoria’s top export.

And it now supports more than 130,700 Australian jobs.

With a high quality education and a welcoming culture, Australia was the third most popular destination for international students – in tertiary education – in 2013.

Of the top five destination countries, Australia was the only country that increased its market share between 2000 and 2013, as more countries entered the education export market.

Meanwhile domestic students are increasingly including some study abroad as part of their Australian degrees.

And research endeavour is increasingly global – and particularly so in Australia.

Australian universities are also determined to protect and promote the many benefits to the world of international education, research and academic collaboration.

In January, we expressed our concern about the potential impact of the new US executive order on the free exchange of students, academics and researchers between Australia and the United States of America.

Universities Australia Chief Executive Belinda Robinson said Australia and the US had longstanding ties between university sectors and a proud tradition of student and staff exchanges on a large scale.

The executive order has the potential to adversely affect research collaboration, academic conference participation, student exchange programs and postdoctoral work in Australia.

The signing of the executive order sparked a sharp response around the world from eminent researchers and academics.

Universities Australia’s comments came as over 7000 US faculty members and 37 Nobel Laureates signed a petition urging US President Donald Trump to reconsider.

The Association of American Universities called for a reversal of the executive order, saying that the ban threatens to cause “irreparable damage” to the academic reputation of the United States.

Universities Canada and other academic institutions around the world also expressed concern.